IT Lead, Packaging & Food Technology

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc; Montreal; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An industry-leading automation solutions provider is seeking an IT Director responsible for global IT operations, compliance, and budget management within the Packaging and Food Technology segment. The role involves leading a high-performing IT team, developing strategic IT initiatives, and ensuring cybersecurity and SOX compliance. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in managing global teams, particularly in SOX environments, alongside a post-secondary degree in computer science or business intelligence. This position is based in Montreal, Canada.

Qualifications

• Experience managing global teams effectively.
• Strong experience working in a SOX environment.
• Proficient in creating reports from large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee IT audits and ensure SOX compliance.
• Develop global IT strategy aligned with business goals.
• Manage high availability plans and disaster recovery.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Experience with data management

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in computer science or business intelligence

Tools

Salesforce

SAP

SolidWorks

Job description

ATS Corporation | Overview

ATS Corporation is an industry-leading automation solutions and technology provider to many of the world’s most successful companies. Using extensive knowledge and global capabilities in custom and repeat automation, automation products and value-added solutions including pre-automation and after-sales services, the company addresses the sophisticated manufacturing automation and service needs of multinational customers in markets such as life sciences, transportation, food & beverage, consumer products, and energy. With a dynamic culture that is bolstered by driven employees and the ATS Business Model (ABM), the businesses are united by a shared purpose of creating solutions that positively impact lives around the world. Founded in 1978, ATS employs over 7,000 people at more than 65 manufacturing facilities and over 85 offices in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Oceania. The company’s common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE under the symbol ‘ATS’.

Job Summary

The IT Director is responsible for the budget, SOX, IT operations and IT staff globally for the Packaging and Food Technology segment. This global position involves overseeing 12 staff, 8 factories and 6 ERPs and serves as the liaison between Corporate IT and the business units within PFT. As the Segment lead, the director works on segment-wide standards, manages the IT budget and improves EBIT by finding real cost savings.

1. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

• Ensure ongoing SOX compliance across all IT systems and processes.
• Oversee IT audits (internal and external), including evidence collection and remediation tracking.
• Maintain and update IT policies and procedures aligned with global regulatory requirements.
• Manage access controls, segregation of duties, and change management processes.
• Collaborate with Legal and Finance teams to ensure compliance with data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

2. Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Develop and execute a global IT strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives across regions.
• Manage global IT budgets, forecasting, and cost optimization.
• Build and maintain a high-performing IT team, including regional leadership.
• Represent IT in executive leadership meetings and strategic planning sessions.

3. Infrastructure & Operations

• Work with corporate IT for network architecture, data centers, and cloud infrastructure.
• Ensure high availability and disaster recovery plans are in place and tested.
• Standardize and optimize IT service management in Jira (e.g., ITIL practices).
• Monitor and improve system performance, uptime, and scalability.
• Manage global vendor relationships and service-level agreements (SLAs).

4. Cybersecurity

• Enforce cybersecurity strategy and incident response planning.
• Ensure security awareness training for all employees globally.
• Escalation point for cybersecurity events.
• Respond to and report security incidents in compliance with SOX and other regulations.

5. Applications & Data Management

• Oversee enterprise applications (ERP, CRM, HRIS, etc.) and their integration.
• Ensure data governance, quality, and lifecycle management.
• Support business intelligence and analytics initiatives.
• Manage software development and deployment pipelines, ensuring secure and compliant releases.
• Align application portfolios with business needs and global scalability.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration between IT and other departments.
• Ensure global teams have access to collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint).
• Support remote work infrastructure and policies.
• Communicate IT strategy, risks, and performance to stakeholders.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain) where applicable.
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead pilot programs and proof-of-concept initiatives globally.

Job Requirements

Education

A post‑secondary degree or diploma in computer science, business intelligence or equivalent.

Experience and Skills

• Working with CRMs Salesforce, Zoho and HubSpot.
• Working with ERPs, SAP, JDE, Syspro, Nav.
• Working with engineering tools, CAD (SolidWorks, Inventor, Solid Edge and Creo), PLM (PE2, Upchain).
• Managing global teams.
• Very strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with large data and creating reports.
• Working in a SOX environment.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent analytical, mathematical and creative problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to conduct research into systems issues and products as required.
• Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user‑friendly language.
• Highly motivated and self‑directed.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high‑pressure environment.
• Experience working in a team‑oriented, collaborative environment.

Location: Montreal, Quebec, CA, H2Y 2H7